The little girl spotted him sitting alone against a cold brick wall. His clothes were torn. His face was streaked with soot. His small hands were dirty and trembling. She glanced down at the sandwich resting in her white-gloved hands. Then she walked over.
The little girl spotted him sitting alone against a cold brick wall.
His clothes were torn. His face was streaked with soot. His small hands were dirty and trembling.
She glanced down at the sandwich resting in her white-gloved hands.
Then she walked over.
"Here," she said softly. "You can have it."
The boy looked at her as if kindness were something he'd forgotten even existed.
Slowly, he reached out with both hands and accepted the sandwich.
"Thank you," he whispered.
The little girl smiled and sat down beside him, not caring that the dust stained her spotless white coat.
For one brief moment, the alley felt a little warmer.
Then a woman's voice shattered the silence.
"No! Get away from him!"
The girl's mother came rushing toward them, her heels striking the pavement as her tan trench coat billowed behind her. She grabbed her daughter by the shoulders and pulled her away.
The boy froze, still clutching the sandwich.
"Mom, he's hungry!" the little girl cried.
But the woman wasn't listening.
She was staring at the boy's face.
His blue eyes slowly met hers.
In an instant, every trace of anger disappeared.
Her handbag slipped from her fingers and hit the ground with a dull thud.
The boy blinked at her in confusion.
Then his lips began to tremble.
May you like
"Mom?"
The woman collapsed to her knees.
